Cable type steering system

ABSTRACT

A cable type steering system includes a drive pulley coupled to a steering wheel for rotation and having a drive pulley main body, a driven pulley coupled to a steering gear box for steering wheels for rotation and having a driven pulley main body, and an operation cable connecting the drive pulley with the driven pulley, so that a steering torque inputted to the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering gear box via the operation cable. At least one of the drive pulley main body and the driven pulley main body may be molded of a synthetic resin in such a manner as to cover a detent portion formed on an outer circumference of a pulley boss made of a metal both from an axial direction and a radial direction, and at least part of the detent portion is visible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cable type steering system inwhich a steering wheel and a steering gear box are connected to eachother with flexible operation cables such as a Bowden cable. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a cable type steeringsystem wherein a detent portion formed on an outer circumference of apulley boss is visible even when using molded drive pulley and drivenpulley main bodies.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The cable type steering system is disclosed in, for example,JP-A-2000-25623, JP-A-10-59197 and JP-A-8-2431.

[0005] In this type of cable type steering system, even in a case wherea drive pulley main body and a driven pulley main body are made of asynthetic resin in order to reduce the weight of the steering system, apulley boss constituting a rotating shaft thereof needs to be made of ametal due to the reason for ensuring a required strength. In this case,it is contemplated to rigidly integrate a pulley main body made of asynthetic resin onto an outer circumference of the metallic pulley bossand to integrally mold a pulley main body of a synthetic resin in such amanner as to cover a detent portion formed on the outer circumference ofa boss portion from an axial direction and a radial direction in orderto prevent the generation of looseness.

[0006] In the event that the pulley main body of a synthetic resin isintegrally molded over the outer circumference of the metallic pulleyboss as has been described above, if no detent portion is formed on theouter circumference of the pulley boss due to a processing error, thereis caused a concern that when a large magnitude of steering torque isapplied thereto, the steering torque is not sufficiently transmitted.However, there is caused a problem that once the pulley boss is coveredwith the pulley main body, the condition of the detent portion on thepulley boss cannot be confirmed from the outside of the pulley mainbody.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention was made in view of the above situation, and anobject thereof is to provide a cable type steering system in which onecan surely confirm the condition of a detent portion on a pulley bosswhich is covered with a pulley main body of a cable type steeringsystem.

[0008] With a view to attaining the object, according to a first aspectof the invention, there is provided a cable type steering system inwhich a drive pulley coupled to a steering wheel for rotation and adriven pulley coupled to a steering gear box for steering wheels forrotation are connected by operation cables so that a steering torqueinputted to the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering gear boxvia the operation cables. The cable type steering system of this firstaspect is characterized in that at least one of a drive pulley main bodyand a driven pulley main body is molded of a synthetic resin in such amanner as to cover detent portions formed on outer circumferences ofpulley bosses made of, for example, metal both from an axial directionand a radial direction, and in that at least part of the detent portionscan be visualized.

[0009] According to the construction, since at least part of the detentportions formed on the outer circumference of the metallic pulley bossescan be visualized from the outside of the drive pulley main body or thedriven pulley main body which is molded of the synthetic resin in such amanner as to cover the detent portions, it is possible to ensure theconfirmation of formation of no detent portion on the pulley boss due toa processing error.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provideda cable type steering system as set forth in the first aspect of theinvention, wherein at least part of the detent portions can bevisualized through recessed portions formed for fixing end portions ofthe operation cables to the drive pulley main body or the driven pulleymain body.

[0011] According to the construction, since part of the detent portionscan be visualized through the recessed portions formed for fixing theend portions of the operation cables to the drive pulley main body orthe driven pulley main body, it is possible to ensure the confirmationof existence of the detent portions on the pulley bosses withoutimplementing any particular processing to the pulley main bodies.

[0012] Note that serrated portions 33 a, 71 a in an embodimentcorrespond to the detent portions of the invention and pin holes 34 a,77 a in the embodiment correspond to the recessed portions of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a cable type steeringsystem;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line II-II inFIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III inFIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a steering torque sensor;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a differential transformer for thesteering torque sensor;

[0018]FIGS. 6A to 6C are explanatory views explaining the function ofthe steering torque sensor; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line VII-VIIin FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Modes for carrying out the invention will be described based onembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0021] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the invention. As shownin FIG. 1, a drive pulley casing 12 provided in front of an automotivesteering wheel 11 and a driven pulley 14 provided above a steering gearbox 13 are connected to each other by two operation cables 15, 16 eachcomprising a Bowden cable. Tie rods 17L, 17R extending from end portionsof the steering gear box 13 in transverse directions of a vehicle bodyare connected, respectively, to knuckles (not shown) which support leftand right wheels WL, WR. A steering torque sensor is incorporated in thedrive pulley casing 12 for detecting a steering torque which is inputtedin the steering wheel 11. An actuator 20 provided in a gear casing 19which is integral with the driven pulley casing 14 is actuated by acommand from a control unit 18 into which a steering torque so detectedby the steering torque sensor is inputted, so that the steeringoperation by the driver is assisted.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive pulley casing 12 includes a rearhousing 21, a center housing 22 and a front housing 23, which areconnected together with bolts 24 . . . , and a front cover 25 isconnected to a front face of the front housing 23 with bolts (notshown). The drive pulley casing 12 is mounted to a mount stay 26 suchthat a bracket 21 a provided on the rear housing 21 is fixed to themount stay 26 with a pin 27 whereas a bracket 23 a provided on the fronthousing 23 is fixed to the mount stay 26 with a pin 28.

[0023] A hollow steering shaft 29 connected to the steering wheel 11 isrotatably supported in the rear housing 21 with two ball bearings 30,31. A metallic pulley boss 33 is fixed to an outer circumference of ahollow pulley shaft 32 disposed coaxially with the steering wheel 11,and a drive pulley main body 34 which is formed of a synthetic resin isintegrally molded in such a manner as to cover a serrated portion 33 aformed in an outer circumference of the pulley boss 33. The pulley boss33 is rotatably supported at end portions thereof by two ball bearings35, 36 in the front housing 23 and the front cover 25, respectively, andthe pulley shaft 32 is rotatably supported by a ball bearing 37 in thecenter housing 22. The pulley boss 33 and the drive pulley main body 34construct a drive pulley 59 according to the invention.

[0024] An inner circumference of a front end portion of the steeringshaft 29 fits in an outer circumference of a rear end portion of thepulley shaft 32 in such a manner as to rotate relative to the pulleyshaft 32, and end portions of a torsion bar 38 fit in hollow portions ofthe steering shaft 29 and the pulley shaft 32, respectively, and areconnected to the respective shafts with pins 39, 40. Consequently, asteering torque inputted into the steering shaft 29 is transmitted fromthe steering shaft 29 to the pulley shaft 32 via the torsion bar 38,whereby a steering torque sensor 41 provided in the interior of thecenter housing 22 detects the steering torque based on a twist amount ofthe torsion bar 38.

[0025] As is understood from FIGS. 2 and 4, the steering torque sensor41 includes a cylindrical slider 42, a guide pin 43, a magnetic ring 44,a differential transformer 45 and a coil spring 46. The cylindricalslider 42 is supported on the pulley shaft 32 in such a manner as not torotate relative to the outer circumference of the pulley shaft 32 but toslide in axial directions thereof. The guide pin 43 is fixed to thesteering shaft 29 and adapted to fit in an inclined groove 42 a formedin the slider 42. The magnetic ring 44 is fixed to an outercircumference of the slider 42 which is made of a synthetic resin. Thedifferential transformer 45 is fixed to an inner circumference of thecenter housing 22 in such a manner as to confront the magnetic ring 44.The coil spring 46 biases the slider 42 to the front in order to preventa looseness between the guide pin 43 and the inclined groove 42 a.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the differential transformer 45 of thesteering torque sensor 41 comprises a primary coil 48 connected to analternating-current power supply 47, a first secondary coil 49 and asecond secondary coil 50. The magnetic ring 44 constitutes a movableiron core disposed between the first and second secondary coils 49, 50.

[0027] As is understood from FIG. 2, a front end portion of the pulleyshaft 32 and the pulley boss 33 are connected to each other at aserrated connecting portion 51, as well as via a tapered connectingportion 52 which tapers toward the front end portion of the pulley shaft32. A nut 53 is screwed on a front end of the pulley shaft 32, so thatthe pulley boss 33 is biased rearward along the pulley shaft 32 byvirtue of a load from the nut 53, whereby the boss 33 is brought intoclose contact with the tapered connecting portion 52 with a sufficientsurface pressure, thereby making it possible to bring the pulley shaft32 and the pulley boss 33 into rigid integration. This serves toeliminate minute looseness existing at the serrated connecting portion51, whereby not only can the generation of noise be suppressed, but alsothe steering feel can be improved. Since the drive pulley 59 can moveaxially when the nut 53 is tightened, the application of an unreasonableforce to the drive pulley casing 12 is prevented.

[0028] As understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the two operation cables 15, 16are constituted by outer tubes 15 o, 16 o which are made of a syntheticresin, and inner cables 15 i, 16 i comprising metallic strands which areslidably received in the interior of the respective outer tubes 15 o, 16o. Short cylindrical pins 54, 54 fixed to end portions of the two innercables 15 i, 16 i fit in pin holes 34 a, 34 a formed in end faces of thedrive pulley main body 34. The two inner cables 15 i, 16 i extendingfrom the pins 54, 54 are wound around an outer circumference of thedrive pulley main body 34 along a single spiral groove 34 b formed inthe outer circumference of the drive pulley main body 34 in directionsin which the cables approach each other and are then drawn out in adirection which intersects with an axis of the pulley shaft 32 at rightangles.

[0029] Bottom portions of the pin holes 34 a, 34 a of the drive pulleymain body 34 made of, for example, synthetic resin reach a boundaryportion between the serrated portion 33 a of the pulley boss 33 and thedrive pulley main body 34, and with the pins 54, 54 being removed, theboundary portion can easily be visualized. Consequently, the detectionof a processing error can be ensured in which a drive pulley main body34 is molded in an inappropriate condition where no serrated portion 33a is formed in a pulley boss 33.

[0030] Two cylindrical connecting portions 23 b, 23 b are formed on thefront housing 23, and boss portions 56 a, 56 a of outer tube connectingmembers 56, 56 are fixed in the interior of the respective connectingportions 23 b, 23 b. Pipe portions 56 b, 56 b extending from the bossportions 56 a, 56 a outwardly of the connecting portions 23 b, 23 b fiton outer circumferences of the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o and the operationcables 15, 16 are clamped on clamp portions 56 c, 56 c, whereby endportions of the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o are fixed to the front housing23. Guide bushes 57, 57 made of a synthetic resin providing good slidingcharacteristics are retained on inner circumferences of the bossportions 56 a, 56 a of the outer tube connecting members 56, 56 in orderto prevent the direct abrasion of the inner cables 15 i, 16 i and theboss portions 56 a, 56 a.

[0031] Covers made from, for example, rubber 58, 58 cover from outercircumferences of the connecting portions 23 b, 23 b of the fronthousing 23 to predetermined positions (for example, to portions whichare exposed from the pipe portions 56 b, 56 b of the outer tubeconnecting members 56, 56) on the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o of theoperation cables 15, 16. The rubber covers 58, 58 having an elasticityare closely secured to the outer circumferences of the connectingportions 23 b, 23 b of the front housing 23 and outer circumferences ofthe outer tubes 15 o, 16 o to seal off those portions, to therebyprevent water from penetrating from the clamp portions 56 c, 56 c of theouter tube connecting members 56, 56 for connecting the outer tubes 15o, 16 o to the front housing 23, as well as gaps between the bossportions 56 a, 56 a of the outer tube connecting members 56, 56 and theconnecting portions 23 b, 23 b.

[0032] Since the two ball bearings 35, 36 for supporting the pulley boss33 are of a waterproof type, there is no risk that water penetrates intoan interior space formed by the front housing 23 and the front cover 25where the drive pulley 59 is accommodated to thereby get the drivepulley 59 wet. Thus, as has been described above, since the partextending from the drive pulley 59 to the predetermined positions of theouter tubes 15 o, 16 o is accommodated in the closed space, not onlyeven in the event that the drive pulley casing 12 is disposed in anengine compartment of a vehicle and is splashed with water existing onthe road surface, but also even in the event that the drive pulleycasing 12 is disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and iswet by a drink spilt by the driver or passenger, it is possible toprevent the interruption of smooth motion of the operation cables 15, 16that occurs when water or other liquid adhere to the slide portions ofthe outer tubes 15 o, 16 o and the inner cables 15 i, 16 i and is frozenthereat when the temperature is low or the deterioration in durabilityof the operation cables 15, 16 that occurs when the inner cables 15 i,16 i rust due to water or liquid so adhering thereto.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the driven pulley casing 14 includes an upperhousing 61 and a lower housing 62 which are connected to each other withbolts (not shown) and the gear casing 19 includes a gear casing mainbody 63 and an upper cover 64 which is connected to an upper face of thegear casing main body 63 with bolts (not shown). Then, the lower housing62 and the upper cover 64 are connected together with a plurality ofbolts 65 . . . .

[0034] A pulley shaft 70 is rotatably supported on a ball bearing 66provided in the upper housing 61, a ball bearing 67 provided in thelower housing 62 and two ball bearings 68, 69 provided in the gearcasing main body 63. The two ball bearings 66, 67 on an upper side donot directly bear the pulley shaft 70 but bear a pulley boss 71 fixed toan outer circumference of the pulley shaft 70. The ball bearing 66provided in the upper housing 61 is prevented from coming off by anannular nut 72, and the lower ball bearing 69 provided in gear casingmain body 63 is prevented from coming off by a cap nut 73.

[0035] An upper end portion of the pulley shaft 70 and the pulley boss71 are connected together at a serrated connecting portion 74, as wellas via a taper connecting portion 75 which tapers toward the upper endportion of the pulley shaft 70. A nut 76 is screwed on an upper end ofthe pulley shaft 70, and the pulley boss 71 is biased downwardly alongthe pulley shaft 70 by virtue of a load from the nut 76, so that thetaper connecting portion 75 is brought into close contact with thepulley shaft 70 with a sufficient surface pressure, whereby the pulleyshaft 70 and the pulley boss 71 are brought into rigid integration.Thus, not only can the generation of noise be suppressed by eliminatingminute looseness existing at the serrated connecting portion, but alsothe steering feel can be improved. Since the driven pulley 60 is allowedto move in an axial direction when the nut 76 is tightened, theapplication of an unreasonable force to the driven pulley casing 14 andthe gear casing 19 can be prevented.

[0036] A driven pulley main body 77 made of a synthetic resin isintegrally molded on the serrated portion 71 a of an outer circumferenceof the pulley boss 71. Short cylindrical pins 78, 78 fixed to endportions of the inner cables 15 i, 16 i of the two operation cables 15,16 fit in pin holes 77 a, 77 a formed in both end faces of the drivenpulley main body 77. The two inner cables 15 i, 16 i extending from thepins 78, 78 are wound around an outer circumference of the driven pulleymain body 77 along a spiral groove 77 b formed in the outercircumference of the driven pulley main body 77 in directions in whichthe inner cables 15 i, 16 i approach each other and are then drawn outin a direction which intersects with an axis of the pulley shaft 70 atright angles. The pulley boss 71 and the driven pulley main body 77constitute a driven pulley 60.

[0037] Bottom portions of the pin holes 77 a, 77 a in the driven pulleymain body 77 made of synthetic resin reach a boundary portion betweenthe serrated portion 71 a of the pulley boss 71 and the driven pulleymain body 77, and with the pins 78, 78 being removed, the boundaryportion can easily be visualized. Consequently, the detection of aprocessing error can be ensured in which a driven pulley main body 77 ismolded in a condition where a serrated portion 71 a is not formed in apulley boss 71.

[0038] Two cylindrical connecting portions 14 a, 14 a are formed on thedriven pulley casing 14, and boss portions 79 a, 79 a of outer tubeconnecting members 79, 79 are fixed inside the connecting portions 14 a,14 a, respectively. Pipe portions 79 b, 79 b extending from the bossportions 79 a, 79 a to the outside of the connecting portions 14 a, 14 afit on outer circumferences of outer tubes 15 o, 16 o and the operatingcables 15, 16 are clamped on clamp portions 79 c, 79 c, whereby endportions of the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o are fixed to the driven pulleycasing 14. Guide bushes 80, 80 made of a synthetic resin providing goodsliding characteristics are retained on an inner circumference of theboss portions 79 a, 79 a of the outer tube connecting members 79, 79 forpreventing the direct abrasion of the inner cables 15 i, 16 i and theboss portions 79 a, 79 a.

[0039] A single rubber cover 81 covers from most of the driven pulleycasing 14 to predetermined positions (for example, to portions which areexposed from the pipe portions 79 b, 79 b of the outer tube connectingmembers 79, 79) of the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o of the operation cables15, 16 via the connecting portions 14 a, 14 a. This rubber cover 81 cannot only ensure the sealing of the clamp portions 79 c, 79 c of theouter tube connecting members 79, 79 from which water penetrates mosteasily, but also prevent the penetration of water from a split facebetween the upper housing 61 and the lower housing 62 of the drivenpulley casing 14, and the ball bearing 66 which supports the upper endof the pulley shaft 70.

[0040] With this construction, the waterproofness of the driven pulleycasing 14, which is disposed at a lower portion in the enginecompartment and hence is easier to get wet than the drive pulley housing12, can be increased, whereby it is possible to prevent the interruptionof smooth movement of the operation cables 15, 16 that occurs when wateradheres to the slide portions of the outer tubes 15 o, 16 o and theinner cables 15 i, 16 i and is then frozen when the temperature isdecreased, and the deterioration in durability of the operation cables15, 16 that occurs when the inner cables 15 i, 16 i get rust due to thewater so adhering to the slide portions of the inner cables 15 i, 16 i.

[0041] A worm wheel 82 fixed to the pulley shaft 70 meshes with a worm83 fixed to an output shaft 20 a of the actuator 20 (refer to FIG. 1)which is constituted by an electric motor, at an upper portion of thegear casing 19 which is sealed off from the driven pulley casing 14 viaa seal member 91. A rack 85 formed on the steering gear box 13 (refer toFIG. 1) meshes with a pinion 84 formed on a lower portion of the pulleyshaft 70, and the rack 85 is biased toward the pinion 84 at the meshingportion.

[0042] Namely, a slide member 86 slidably fits in a through hole 63 aformed in the gear casing main body 63 via an O ring 87, and alow-friction member 90 provided on the slide member 86 is brought intoabutment with a back of the rack 85 by virtue of the spring force of acoil spring 89 disposed between a spring seat 88 screw-connected in thethrough hole 63 a and the slide member 86. Accordingly, the rack 85 isprevented from being subjected to a large magnitude of slidingresistance and therefore, no looseness and deflection thereof isgenerated when the rotation of the pulley shaft 70 is transmitted to therack 85 via the pinion 84 to steer the wheels WL, WR, the smoothoperation of the rack 85 being thereby made possible.

[0043] Next, the function of the embodiment of the invention which isconstructed as has been described heretofore will be described.

[0044] A steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor 41 isinputted in the control unit 18, which controls the operation of theactuator 20 based on the steering torque so detected. Namely, when thesteering wheel 11 is operated to turn the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2,the steering torque is transmitted to the pulley shaft 32 via thesteering shaft 29 and the torsion bar 38, and one of the inner cables 15i, 16 i of the operation cables 15, 16 which are wound around the drivepulley main body 34 is pulled whereas the other of the inner cables 15i, 16 i is loosened, whereby the rotation of the drive pulley 59 istransmitted to the driven pulley 60. As a result, the pulley shaft 70shown in FIG. 7 rotates, and the steering torque is transmitted to thewheels WL, WR via the pinion 84 and the rack 85 within the steering gearbox 13 and the tie rods 17L, 17R.

[0045] When no steering torque is inputted to the steering wheel 11 thetorsion bar 38 neither twists nor deforms, and the steering shaft 29 andthe pulley shaft 32 are held in the same phase. As this occurs, as shownin FIG. 6B, the guide pin 43 of the steering shaft 29 is situated at thecenter of the inclined groove 42 a, and the slider 42 is held at avertically central position. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic ring44 provided on the slider 42 is situated at an intermediate positionbetween the first secondary coil 49 and the second secondary coil 50,whereby output voltages from the two secondary coils 49, 50 becomesequal, and the steering torque is detected as being zero.

[0046] In addition, when the steering wheel 11 is operated rightward sothat a steering torque in a direction indicated by an arrow a shown inFIG. 6A is inputted to the steering shaft 29, the torsion bar 38 twistsand deforms and a difference in phase is generated between the steeringshaft 29 and the pulley shaft 32 (namely, the slider 42 which cannotrotate relative to the pulley shaft 32), whereby the slider 42 is pushedalong the inclined groove 42 a by the guide pin 43 of the steering shaft29 to slide upwardly. As a result, the output voltage of the upper firstsecondary coil 49 increases whereas the output voltage of the lowersecond secondary coil 50 decreases, and the steering torque which isdirected to the right is detected based on a difference in voltagebetween the two coils. Similarly, when the steering wheel is operatedleftward so that a steering torque in a direction indicated by an arrowb shown in FIG. 6C is inputted to the steering shaft 29, the torsion bar38 twists and deforms and a difference in phase is generated between thesteering shaft 29 and the pulley shaft 32 (namely, the slider 42),whereby the slider 42 is pushed along the inclined groove 42 a by theguide pin 43 of the steering shaft 29 to slide downwardly. As a result,the output voltage of the upper first secondary coil 49 decreaseswhereas the output voltage of the lower second secondary coil 50increases, and the steering torque which is directed to the left isdetected based on a difference in voltage between the two coils.

[0047] Thus, when a steering torque is detected by the steering torquesensor 41, the control unit 18 drives the actuator 20 such that thesteering torque detected by the steering torque sensor 41 is held at apre-set steering torque, whereby the torque of the actuator 20 istransmitted to the pulley shaft 70 via the worm 83 and the worm wheel 82to thereby assist the steering wheel operation or steering effort by thedriver. By the combination of the steering torque sensor 41 having thedifferential transformer 45 and the actuator 20, the actuator 20 can beoperated only through electric control, whereby the construction of thecontrol system can be simplified.

[0048] Thus, while the embodiment of the invention has been described indetail heretofore, the invention may be modified variously with respectto its design without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

[0049] For example, while the serrated portions 33 a, 71 a are adoptedas the detent portions in the embodiment, projections or irregularportions of any configurations may be adopted instead of the serratedportions 33 a, 71 a.

[0050] In addition, while the bottom portions of the pin holes 34 a, 77a reach the surfaces of the pulley bosses 33, 71 in the embodiment, thebottom portions of the pin holes 34 a, 77 a may be constructed toterminate just before the surfaces of the pulley bosses 33, 71 so thatthe existence of the serrated portions 33 a, 71 a can also be confirmedthrough a translucent thin portion of a synthetic resin whichconstitutes the drive pulley 34 or the driven pulley 77.

[0051] Additionally, even in the event that the drive pulley main body34 and the driven pulley main body 77 are constructed of a transparentsynthetic resin, the existence of the serrated portions 33 a, 71 a canalso be confirmed.

[0052] Thus, according to the first aspect of the invention, since atleast part of the detent portions formed on the outer circumference ofthe metallic pulley bosses can be visualized from the outside of thedrive pulley main body or the driven pulley main body which is molded ofthe synthetic resin in such a manner as to cover the detent portions, itis possible to surely confirm the formation of no detent portion on thepulley boss due to a processing error.

[0053] According to the second aspect of the invention, since part ofthe detent portions can be visualized through the recessed portionsformed for fixing the end portions of the operation cables to the drivepulley main body or the driven pulley main body, it is possible tosurely confirm the existence of the detent portions on the pulley bosseswithout implementing any particular processing to the pulley mainbodies.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable type steering system, comprising: a drivepulley coupled to a steering wheel for rotation and having a drivepulley main body; a driven pulley coupled to a steering gear box forsteering wheels for rotation and having a driven pulley main body; andan operation cable connecting the drive pulley with the driven pulley,so that a steering torque inputted to the steering wheel is transmittedto the steering gear box via the operation cable, wherein at least oneof the drive pulley main body and the driven pulley main body is moldedof a synthetic resin in such a manner as to cover a detent portionformed on an outer circumference of a pulley boss both from an axialdirection and a radial direction, and wherein at least part of thedetent portion is visible.
 2. The cable type steering system accordingto claim 1, wherein at least part of the detent portion is visiblethrough a recessed portion formed for fixing an end portion of theoperation cable to one of the drive pulley main body and the drivenpulley main body.
 3. A cable type steering system, comprising: at leastone of a drive pulley main body and a driven pulley main body covering adetent portion formed on an outer circumference of a pulley boss bothfrom an axial direction and a radial direction, wherein at least part ofthe detent portion is visible from outside of the associated drivepulley main body and driven pulley main body.
 4. The cable type steeringsystem according to claim 3, wherein the at least one of a drive pulleymain body and a driven pulley main body are molded of synthetic resin.